Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing

What is Acess & Benefit Sharing (ABS)?

Access to biological resources, refers to the utilization of biological resources from its natural habitats or the place where the resources were found, stored, or grown for research and development purposes on any genetic resources, derivatives, or biochemical compounds consisting of or contained in the biological resources.

Why ABS is Important?

Access and benefit sharing of biological resources can ensure that the method of accessing and utilization of biological resources will maximize the benefits to the users, providers and the ecology and communities where the biological resources are found.

ABS is an important issue under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), where one of the three objectives of the convention on ABS which is in line with preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of its components. CBD recognizes that biological resources is an absolute right of a country.

Issues in Regulating ABS

Nagoya Protocol on ABS is a new international treaty adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan on Oct. 29, 2010. The objective is to share the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably, which will contribute to the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and further meet the three objectives of the CBD.

Demonstration Project on the Utilization of Genetic Resources associated with TK for the Development of Health and Personal Care Products in Sarawak

To demonstrate an ABS mechanism through creating a value chain leading to the development of products for the healthcare, personal care and cosmeceutical industries from traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources in Sarawak.

To promote benefit sharing with ethnic communities so that they are able to improve their livelihoods and preserve their traditional knowledge while promoting the sustainable use of biological resources for the State of Sarawak.

Creating a value chain from Traditional Knowledge for the Biodiversity Product for the Community Benefit